Ultima Thule Ambient Music
Encyclopedia
Ultima Thule Ambient Music is a long-running, specialist ambient music radio show which has been broadcast on Australia
n community radio
since 1989. The show has been described as one of the leading alternative music programmes on Australian radio. It is also available as a webcast
and as a podcast
. As at December 2007, Ultima Thule was the number one ambient music podcast on the iTunes Store
.
created by segue
mixing tracks from a number of different artists. The musical content of each show is eclectic and diverse, and can embrace ancient
, mediaeval
, contemporary classical
, ethnic/world
, cool jazz
, film soundtracks and occasionally even popular
idioms, in addition to mainstream ambient
, new age
and electronic music
.
The duration of Ultima Thule has varied considerably over the years. Initially launched as a 90-minute programme, the duration was expanded progressively to 2, and then 3 hours, until settling back into a 90 minute slot from March 2001.
studios of 2NBC-FM
. In early 1990 the show was moved to Australia's oldest and biggest community station, 2MBS-FM
, where it has been based ever since.
From the show's foundation until late 1998, George Cruickshank was Ultima Thule's sole programmer and presenter. Towards the end of 1998, David Bassin, Candace Cappe, Victor Kay and Nev Dorrington joined Cruickshank as co-producers, although that arrangement proved impractical, and was terminated early in 1999.
Dorrington subsequently rejoined the show's on-air lineup late in 2001, along with Mike Watson, a.k.a. Mike G, creator of the Ambient Music Guide reference website. Watson remained with the show for five years, before departing in late 2006. Watson's position in the Ultima Thule roster was then taken by Marc "Kundalini" Cottee. Jon Shapiro joined the show in 2009.
The show has been presented on a fortnightly cycle since late 2001, with Cruickshank presenting every second broadcast, while each of the other presenters take turns hosting the show in the alternate weeks.
in Sydney
, Australia
, on Sunday evenings between 10.30 and midnight.
In June 2003 Ultima Thule was networked to Adelaide
by 2MBS' sister station, 5MBS-FM
. It is broadcast there on Sunday evenings, also from 10.30pm to midnight.
A third station in the Fine Music Network, Artsound FM
, Canberra
, began to carry the show in November 2006, broadcasting it on Tuesday evenings from 10.00pm.
In March 2008 it was announced on the Ultima Thule blog
that the show had been picked up for nationwide distribution via the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia
's Community Radio Network satellite service - which delivers shared programming to over 180 radio stations in all states and territories. That arrangement commenced on 2 May.
Ultima Thule has been available as a podcast since May, 2005, and at any given time 8 shows are available for download in MP3
form through the programme's website. It can also be streamed live from the 2MBS-FM
website.
It features original and previously unreleased compositions by thirteen ambient artists, including Steve Roach, Tim Story
, Robert Rich
, and Numina.
The recording reached #41 on the New Age Reporter music chart in August 2006.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n community radio
Community radio
Community radio is a type of radio service, that offers a third model of radio broadcasting beyond commercial broadcasting and public broadcasting. Community stations can serve geographic communities and communities of interest...
since 1989. The show has been described as one of the leading alternative music programmes on Australian radio. It is also available as a webcast
Webcast
A webcast is a media presentation distributed over the Internet using streaming media technology to distribute a single content source to many simultaneous listeners/viewers. A webcast may either be distributed live or on demand...
and as a podcast
Podcast
A podcast is a series of digital media files that are released episodically and often downloaded through web syndication...
. As at December 2007, Ultima Thule was the number one ambient music podcast on the iTunes Store
ITunes Store
The iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
.
Show format
Each broadcast is uninterrupted by back-announcing other than near the beginning and end of the show, and consists of a 90-minute musical soundscapeSoundscape
A soundscape is a sound or combination of sounds that forms or arises from an immersive environment. The study of soundscape is the subject of acoustic ecology...
created by segue
Segue
A segue is a smooth transition from one topic or section to the next.-In music:In music, segue is a direction to the performer. It means continue without a pause. It comes from the Italian "it follows". The term attacca is also used in classical music.For written music it implies a transition...
mixing tracks from a number of different artists. The musical content of each show is eclectic and diverse, and can embrace ancient
Ancient music
Ancient music is music that developed in literate cultures, replacing prehistoric music.Ancient music refers to the various musical systems that were developed across various geographical regions such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, Persia, India, China, Greece and Rome. Ancient music is designated by the...
, mediaeval
Medieval music
Medieval music is Western music written during the Middle Ages. This era begins with the fall of the Roman Empire and ends sometime in the early fifteenth century...
, contemporary classical
Contemporary classical music
Contemporary classical music can be understood as belonging to the period that started in the mid-1970s with the retreat of modernism. However, the term may also be employed in a broader sense to refer to all post-1945 modern musical forms.-Categorization:...
, ethnic/world
World music
World music is a term with widely varying definitions, often encompassing music which is primarily identified as another genre. This is evidenced by world music definitions such as "all of the music in the world" or "somebody else's local music"...
, cool jazz
Cool jazz
Cool is a style of modern jazz music that arose following the Second World War. It is characterized by its relaxed tempos and lighter tone, in contrast to the bebop style that preceded it...
, film soundtracks and occasionally even popular
Popular music
Popular music belongs to any of a number of musical genres "having wide appeal" and is typically distributed to large audiences through the music industry. It stands in contrast to both art music and traditional music, which are typically disseminated academically or orally to smaller, local...
idioms, in addition to mainstream ambient
Ambient music
Ambient music is a musical genre that focuses largely on the timbral characteristics of sounds, often organized or performed to evoke an "atmospheric", "visual" or "unobtrusive" quality.- History :...
, new age
New Age music
New Age music is music of various styles intended to create artistic inspiration, relaxation, and optimism. It is used by listeners for yoga, massage, meditation, and reading as a method of stress management or to create a peaceful atmosphere in their home or other environments, and is often...
and electronic music
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
.
The duration of Ultima Thule has varied considerably over the years. Initially launched as a 90-minute programme, the duration was expanded progressively to 2, and then 3 hours, until settling back into a 90 minute slot from March 2001.
History and presenters
The project was conceived by George Cruickshank, and the first show aired on February 1st, 1989, from the NarweeNarwee, New South Wales
Narwee is a suburb in southern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Narwee is located 18 kilometres south of the Sydney central business district and is part of the St George area. Narwee lies across the local government areas of the City of Hurstville and the City of Canterbury...
studios of 2NBC-FM
2NBC
2NBC FM is a community radio station based in Peakhurst. Its broadcast area is the suburbs in the south and inner west of Sydney covering the area known as St George. This includes the municipalities of Canterbury, Hurstville, Rockdale and Kogarah....
. In early 1990 the show was moved to Australia's oldest and biggest community station, 2MBS-FM
2MBS
2MBS FM is a Sydney music radio station operated by the Music Broadcasting Society of New South Wales Co-Operative Limited.Launched in 15 December 1974, it is Australia's first fully licensed FM radio station....
, where it has been based ever since.
From the show's foundation until late 1998, George Cruickshank was Ultima Thule's sole programmer and presenter. Towards the end of 1998, David Bassin, Candace Cappe, Victor Kay and Nev Dorrington joined Cruickshank as co-producers, although that arrangement proved impractical, and was terminated early in 1999.
Dorrington subsequently rejoined the show's on-air lineup late in 2001, along with Mike Watson, a.k.a. Mike G, creator of the Ambient Music Guide reference website. Watson remained with the show for five years, before departing in late 2006. Watson's position in the Ultima Thule roster was then taken by Marc "Kundalini" Cottee. Jon Shapiro joined the show in 2009.
The show has been presented on a fortnightly cycle since late 2001, with Cruickshank presenting every second broadcast, while each of the other presenters take turns hosting the show in the alternate weeks.
Syndication, streaming and podcast
Ultima Thule is broadcast live by 2MBS-FM2MBS
2MBS FM is a Sydney music radio station operated by the Music Broadcasting Society of New South Wales Co-Operative Limited.Launched in 15 December 1974, it is Australia's first fully licensed FM radio station....
in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, on Sunday evenings between 10.30 and midnight.
In June 2003 Ultima Thule was networked to Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
by 2MBS' sister station, 5MBS-FM
5MBS
5MBS is a community radio station in Adelaide. Officially, 5MBS's market covers only the Adelaide Foothills, but the station can be received over much of the Adelaide metropolitan area....
. It is broadcast there on Sunday evenings, also from 10.30pm to midnight.
A third station in the Fine Music Network, Artsound FM
ArtSound FM
ArtSound FM is a community radio station broadcasting to Canberra from studios in the suburb of Manuka. Its format is fine music and arts programming....
, Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
, began to carry the show in November 2006, broadcasting it on Tuesday evenings from 10.00pm.
In March 2008 it was announced on the Ultima Thule blog
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
that the show had been picked up for nationwide distribution via the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia
Community Broadcasting Association of Australia
The Community Broadcasting Association of Australia is a peak body and the national representative organisation for community radio and television stations in Australia. The CBAA provide leadership, advocacy and support for members to actively provide independent broadcasting services and to build...
's Community Radio Network satellite service - which delivers shared programming to over 180 radio stations in all states and territories. That arrangement commenced on 2 May.
Ultima Thule has been available as a podcast since May, 2005, and at any given time 8 shows are available for download in MP3
MP3
MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 Audio Layer III, more commonly referred to as MP3, is a patented digital audio encoding format using a form of lossy data compression...
form through the programme's website. It can also be streamed live from the 2MBS-FM
2MBS
2MBS FM is a Sydney music radio station operated by the Music Broadcasting Society of New South Wales Co-Operative Limited.Launched in 15 December 1974, it is Australia's first fully licensed FM radio station....
website.
Compilation album
Chasing the Dawn: Ultima Thule Ambient Volume 01, a branded compilation album produced by George Cruickshank, was released as a fund-raiser for 2MBS in early 2006.It features original and previously unreleased compositions by thirteen ambient artists, including Steve Roach, Tim Story
Tim Story (composer)
Tim Story is an American composer of modern chamber music that incorporates classical acoustic instruments and electronic sounds.- Early years :Tim Story was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1957...
, Robert Rich
Robert Rich (musician)
Robert Rich is an ambient musician and composer based in California, United States. With a discography spanning over 30 years, he is widely regarded as a figure whose sound has greatly influenced today's ambient, New Age, and even IDM music.-Early life:At an early age he thought he disliked music...
, and Numina.
The recording reached #41 on the New Age Reporter music chart in August 2006.
See also
- Hearts of SpaceHearts of SpaceHearts of Space is a United States weekly syndicated public radio show featuring music of a contemplative nature drawn largely from the ambient, New Age and electronic genres, while also including classical, world, Celtic, experimental, and other music selections...
, an ambient music programme broadcast on NPRNPRNPR, formerly National Public Radio, is a privately and publicly funded non-profit membership media organization that serves as a national syndicator to a network of 900 public radio stations in the United States. NPR was created in 1970, following congressional passage of the Public Broadcasting...
in the US since the late 1970s. Hosted by Stephen Hill. - Musical StarstreamsMusical StarstreamsMusical Starstreams is a terrestrial and internet radio program that first aired in the San Francisco bay area in December 1981...
, a US-based commercial radio program produced and hosted by Forest since 1981. - EchoesEchoes (radio program)Echoes is a daily two-hour music radio program hosted by John Diliberto featuring a soundscape of ambient, space, electronica, and New Age music. The program features in-depth artist interviews and intimate "living room" performances. Interview subjects have included Brian Eno, Peter Gabriel,...
, a nightly ambient music show produced by music critic John DilibertoJohn DilibertoJohn Diliberto is an award-winning radio producer, music writer, and host of Echoes, a radio program on Public Radio International featuring ambient, downtempo music "soundscapes"....
. - Star's EndStar's EndStar's End is a weekly, five-hour-long New Age music radio show broadcast by 88.5 WXPN, the University of Pennsylvania's radio station, in Philadelphia. It is the second longest-running show of its type in the world, after Hearts of Space.-History:...
, a weekly ambient music programme broadcast on public radio in Philadelphia since 1976, hosted by Chuck van Zyl.